FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Qualifiers – Group B2
AIL Arena, Lugano – 6 June 2026

Switzerland 6
Malta 1
(Half-time: 4-1)

Scorers: Schertenleib 8′, Willis 21′, Piubel 23′, Xhemaili 38′, Csillag 40′, Reuteler 70′, Xhemaili 81′

Malta Women’s National Team concluded their away fixtures in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying campaign with a 6-1 defeat to Switzerland at the AIL Arena in Lugano.

Facing one of Europe’s strongest sides on their home turf, Malta knew they would be tested throughout the evening. Despite the heavy scoreline, the visitors produced a memorable moment through Kayley Willis, whose superb strike briefly restored parity after Switzerland had taken an early lead.

As expected, the hosts started on the front foot. After just two minutes, Sydney Schertenleib delivered a cross for Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic, who failed to connect from inside the penalty area. Four minutes later, Schertenleib came close herself, forcing Maya Cachia into an excellent low save.

The breakthrough arrived in the eighth minute when Schertenleib produced a moment of quality, lifting a superb effort from outside the area into the top corner beyond the reach of Cachia.

Switzerland continued to apply pressure, with Viola Calligaris creating further danger as Malta’s defence was forced to clear for a corner on 15 minutes.

Malta’s first attacking opportunity came through Kayley Willis, whose long-range effort was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Livia Peng. However, the midfielder made no mistake on 21 minutes, producing a magnificent strike from outside the area that sailed past Peng to level the scores at 1-1.

The celebrations were short-lived. Straight from the restart, Schertenleib broke forward and squared the ball to Seraina Piubel, who calmly finished into the bottom corner to restore Switzerland’s advantage just two minutes later.

The hosts extended their lead in the 38th minute when Geraldine Reuteler’s free-kick found Riola Xhemaili, who converted from close range. Barely two minutes later, Switzerland struck again as Aurélie Csillag headed home from a corner to make it 4-1 at half-time.

Switzerland continued to dominate after the break and were awarded a penalty on 53 minutes following a handball inside the area. Xhemaili stepped up, but Cachia produced an outstanding save to deny the Swiss midfielder and prevent a fifth goal.

On the hour mark, Csillag came close once again, seeing her effort hit the side netting following a swift counterattack.

The fifth goal eventually arrived in the 70th minute when Geraldine Reuteler capitalised on an intercepted back pass before calmly slotting the ball past Cachia. Three minutes later, Csillag was denied by the post after another dangerous attack.

Switzerland completed the scoring in the 81st minute. Following a shot by Columba Sow that was parried by Cachia, Xhemaili reacted quickest to score her second goal of the evening and seal a 6-1 victory for the hosts.

Malta will now look to take the positives from the experience as they prepare for their final fixture of the qualifying campaign.

Teams

Switzerland:
Livia Peng, Noelle Maritz, Viola Calligaris, Geraldine Reuteler, Riola Xhemaili, Nadine Riesen, Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (Ella Touon 84), Sydney Schertenleib (Lia Kamber 46), Lia Wälti (Columba Sow 67), Aurélie Csillag (Leila Wandeler 78), Seraina Piubel (Smilla Vallotto 67).
Coach: Rafael Navarro.

Malta:
Maya Cachia, Alexandra Gatt, Jane Barbara (Emma Flannery 46), Océane Grange, Rachel Cuschieri, Kayley Willis, Maria Farrugia, Maya Lucia (Emma Xuereb 79), Shona Zammit, Nicole Sciberras (Tammy Falzon 78), Haley Bugeja (Jade Flask 65).
Coach: Manuela Tesse.

Referee: Kristina Georgieva (Bulgaria)

Yellow Cards: Océane Grange, Tammy Falzon (Malta)

Attendance: 7,526